Middle School Spanish

AM Spanish

AM Spanish 2025

Overview:
This program is designed to help students maintain and strengthen their Spanish skills through literature, writing, grammar instruction, and interactive practice. It also gives our students a chance to stay connected with their SWS community while preparing for long-term success in Spanish—including future AP-level coursework.

🗓 Class Schedule

  • Mondays (7:00-7:50 AM) – Remote via Google Meet
    Grammar instruction and note-taking
  • Wednesdays (7:00-7:50 AM) – In Person at SWS
    Book club-style reading and discussion (Spanish only)
  • Fridays (7:00-7:50 AM) – In Person at SWS
    Games, creative activities, and application of grammar/vocab (Spanish only)

Students are welcome to leave early on in-person days if needed due to travel distance.

📘 Our 1st Book: Cajas de cartón by Francisco Jiménez

We’ll be reading Cajas de cartón, an autobiographical novel that tells the story of Panchito, a young boy whose family migrates from Mexico to California in search of work. Through powerful short chapters, the book explores themes of immigration, family, identity, and resilience.

Why this book?

  • Rich cultural and historical context
  • Age-appropriate but thought-provoking
  • Excellent opportunities for vocabulary, writing, and discussion
  • Aligned with AP Spanish themes: immigration, identity, family, and resilience

🎯 Class Objectives

Students will:

  • Build grammar and vocabulary through structured practice
  • Improve reading comprehension, discussion, and writing skills
  • Analyze literature in Spanish
  • Explore cultural themes related to family, identity, and perseverance
  • Prepare for future middle/high school Spanish success

📝 Homework & Expectations

  • One writing assignment per week (posted in Google Classroom, due Wednesdays)
  • Students should come prepared having read assigned sections (from any missed classes – as we will read and discuss together on Wednesdays)
  • Spanish only on Wednesdays and Fridays
  • Students who are consistently unprepared or not participating may be asked to withdraw (with family communication beforehand)

🧪 STAMP Test & AP Spanish Readiness

Most students who complete two years of AM Spanish go on to take the STAMP 4S test, which assesses proficiency in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. However, we’ve also had entire groups take it successfully after just one year in the program.

✅ The majority of our students score high enough in all four areas to earn four full years of high school world language credit before even entering high school. Please note that this credit is typically recorded as pass/fail on the transcript.

In addition, several students have gone on (through coordination with their local school districts) to take and pass the AP Spanish Language & Culture Exam while still in middle school. AM Spanish 2025 is designed to help students work toward that level of fluency and readiness.

📥 Communication

All assignments, announcements, and class links will be posted in Google Classroom.

Please feel free to reach out with any questions-I’m excited to continue this journey with your students!

💳 Tuition: $175 per Month (August-May)

Tuition for AM Spanish 2025 is $175 per month, billed from August through May (10 months). This includes:

  • Three Spanish sessions per week (Monday–Wednesday–Friday)
  • High-quality instruction in grammar, reading, writing, and vocabulary
  • Ongoing preparation for the STAMP 4S exam and future AP Spanish
  • All class materials, including a copy of our anchor novel, Cajas de cartón